Schumacher: Bottas showed nothing new
New beard, but Ralf says that's about it.
Ralf Schumacher has expressed doubt that Formula 1 saw a rejuvenated and revitalised Valtteri Bottas at the Australian Grand Prix. The Mercedes man ended his year-long win drought by beating team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne, but Schumacher believes the result had more to do with the champion's struggles than any newfound fight from Bottas.
The Finn arrived for the 2019 with a decidedly different look, having put muscle on over the off-season and grown a beard, and his exploits in Australia hinted at a new mental approach too.
GPFans F1 Podcast #2 - Australian GP recap, your questions and Guess The Grid!Read more
Bottas qualified closer to Hamilton than any teammate had since Jenson Button trumped him in 2010, before jumping the five-time world champion off the line and dominating the race, celebrating his victory with a spiky message to his doubters.
However, Hamilton's effort were hampered by floor damage sustained early in the race, and Schumacher believes this was more crucial to Bottas' win.
The six-time grand prix-winner told the Starting Grid podcast: "I would say it was just a good weekend for him, no more and no less.
"I would not read that much into it.
"He showed in qualifying that he is on the level of Hamilton, but in the end he was still a tenth away because he made a mistake.
"Without [Hamilton's damaged] floor and the start, it would be the usual picture I've been pretty sure.
"That's why: Yes, it's good that he made it, but we do not have a new Bottas, which would be very surprising."
Related
More F1 news
Recommended by the editors
F1 2026
Lewis Hamilton is now winless for a year but iconic track will bring Ferrari star glory
Mercedes
Mercedes release official statement after disqualification heartbreak
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen Red Bull Nurburgring ban confirmed - 'Too dangerous'
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: Final NLS2 Race times and positions after Mercedes disqualification
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page